VOLUME 4; No.9
SEPTEMBER 1981
Dear Brethren;
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
During August we once again were in school with our Bible Training school.
From the time school here began we have operated on a shoestring to keep it
going. But believing we prayed! At times the shoestring was frayed pretty thin
but it was the Lord's way of saying, "My grace is sufficient." We
received a phone call last week from Andy Scott (who is back there on leave)
that the Lord has raised up a congregation in New Mexico who will be providing
monthly support to enable us to continue our training programs. Truly the only
way in which the Gospel will be shared with this nation of over 750 different
languages is in training local brethren in Biblical truths. Principals which
they then will share with their "wantoks", (one-talk, same language
group).
SATAN'S DARTS: FEAR & SUPERSTITION
This school term followed the pattern of past terms. Our men were excited by
doing the Lord's work and Satan starts throwing his fiery darts. People who
have metal roofs on the houses seldom worry about fiery darts burning up their
houses. But people with grass roofs have a constant worry of fire. Brethren
I speak in riddles: The helmet of salvation is that piece which protects our
whole lives. When one has never truly put their whole trust in the Lord the
helmet is not firmly in position, thus open to attack. Superstition and fear
are tools used by Satan to oppress people all over the world. This is never
more evident than here in Papua New Guinea. This is what I liken to grass roofs
on houses. Salvation is available but most of these people still fall back to
the "magic". Satan's fiery darts come and so quickly the fires burn.
(Last week a rugby game broke out in a fight after the losing team accused the
winning team of using "magic" to win.)
SCHOOL RESUMES:24 STUDENTS
We began this term Aug 5th with 24 students. Two weeks later Satan again began
hurling his darts. 5:00 AM on Sunday some boys were caught trying to to break
into the school buildings. They had climbed, over the fence but when approached
they said they were only looking for girl friend who had run off. There was
5 of them. Wamel (dorm master, teacher) was punched a couple of times but they
finally left. They spend the next 32 hour pitching rocks into four of our houses.
That morning after worship the school board met with the students. We found
out who the guys were but they ran away when we went out to speak to them. That
afternoon new rumors began. The guys were going to return to the school and
burn it down. AT NIGHT WHEN EVERYONE WAS ASLEEP. FEAR !!!!!!
STUDENTS RUN AWAY "TALK FIGHT"
Three of our students left for home. A couple of our supposedly stronger Christians,
proposed taking the women and children to Goroka and they would remain and fight.
They said that if I would come stay all night at the school that the rascals
wouldn't come. 20 to 5 they are outnumbered, 21 to 5 they would win?????? Thanks
for the ego boost fellows. QUIET PREVAILS
Well here is how we finally settled it. Two of our from the school board went
down and had discussions with the older brothers and fathers of these 5 guys.
We said if anything came up the police would be brought in, if everything cooled
down we would forget the incident. (These same 5 guys are thought to be the
same ones who broke into the school in June and stole $60. of food). SO FAR
things have remained quiet. By letting the families know this brought pressure
against the whole family of "losing face".
TWO BAPTIZED
During this term of school the following classes were taught: I taught Survey
of Matthew-Acts; Wamel, Romans; Jab Mesa, Judges; Tim Titipu, Joshua. Both Jab
and Tim work and they taught their classes in the evening. It was the first
time either of them taught in the school. Even with the raging fires I was very
encouraged this term. (Kathy would probably say different by the moods I expressed.)
One of the students and his wife were baptized.
NO RAIN: GARDENS DIE
Even in a area with an average of 250" of rain a year we have no water
from time to time. The school is located in a dry area. We don't always get
rains which fall in Goroka, about 2 miles away. The river is some distance and
so our water supply has consisted of what we can catch in big tanks off the
roofs. This last month our entire garden died- NO RAIN. So we decided to dig
a well.
WE BROUGHT IN A GUSHER (really a seeper)
The school students thought I was crazy. But they dug (no diggy no eatty). About
15 feet down through clay they started digging in sand. finally water began
seeping up. They all yelled for the guy down in the hole (8' x 4') to get out
quick before the hole filled up and drowned him. They just knew they had hit
the ocean. The next day to their dismay only about an inch of water was down
in the hole and I made them continue to dig. Mel Bowman was able to buy a pressure
pump at an auction last week.
If the pump works it could save us as much as $400 in setting up the rest of
the system. Hopefully I can work out an irrigation system for the gardens. The
ground here grows almost everything provided there is enough moisture. This
water supply should also allow us to install a shower room for the school boys
and help keep our drinking water tanks full.
If by the length of this school report you think that is all I did this month,
you are close to right. What with feeding, teaching, hearing reports, stopping
fights, supervisor, basketball goal installing, etc. I had few hours for other
things. (I am writing this report the Sunday after I took the school boys back
to their villages for the month break.)
ENGLISH GRAMMAR & SPELLING REVISITED
For some time now I have been doing the English BCC work here in Goroka. The
following excerpts are from letters which I receive from time to time. English
is a second language to these people. (What excuse can I use?) I don't write
to make fun but to show you some ways English can be expressed by others.:
"Dear sir/madam, I heard some pastors priching and say keeping Sunday
and Ive search through my Bible and I can't find it. Could you tell me in which
capture and verse does the Bible menson about keeping Sunday."
"Thank You for you attention My name is Alwis Atbo I'am doing grade
7 this year so may you let me do the COURSE as I'am a new born Christina asking
for couse to do no more to say but that all."
"Hellow and how are you, and how is the work of God going on. And
I have had that the Church of Christ is a very faithful church. And I spend
most of my spare times on reading the good news of God. And so I would like
you to help me with one Holy Bible. Or make me some forms for me to fill in
the forms (Ed: application). That's all ....May the Lord bless this letter."
Don't forget! Upcoming event
THE THIRD ANNUAL PAPUA NEW GUINEA FORUM
OCTOBER 9-10
To be in Texarkana
In Christian Love
The Huffs